Never Miss A House

Fantasy Open House #6: The Artisan

So far it looks like most of you want to buy “Sophia’s Harbor.” Let’s see what you think about “The Artisan.”

One thing to keep in mind–especially as you look at this house–is that Homearama homes are almost always over the top and a little ridiculous if you try to compare them to normal houses that are built for regular folk like us. It’s like they’re on decorating steroids.

Basically, you’ve got 10 homebuilders who all want to make the biggest impression, be the most memorable, and get the most votes. After the show, everyone who toured the houses votes on their favorites, and awards are given out to the homebuilders who got the most–sort of like what we’re doing here this week! This one really went out of its way to get noticed.

House #6, built by Artisan Estate Homes, features a whopping 9,000 square feet and is on the market for $2.1 million. The home was planned, built, and decorated by Rick Seitz, who has won Best Interior Design awards multiple times at Homearamas past. (I think you can catch a glimpse of him in the kitchen.)

The home was intended to exude “an atmosphere of French and Italian lakeside living.” Check it out for yourself and see what you think!

What do you think? Would you buy this house if you had $2.1 million? It’s time to vote!

Okay, I saved the biggest house for last. Tomorrow you’ll get to see Chateau Tourelle, which was designed as “an authentic French castle.” No kidding. It’s a lot of fun to gawk at. So be sure you don’t miss it!

If You Missed Any Other Posts in the Homearama Fantasy Open House Series:

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I would be so freaked out trying to use the bathroom next to that statue. And I’m not sure I’d be comfortable trying to watch a movie in the dark with the other characters watching me either. I did like the rest of the media room, though. Like you said, the house is pretty over the top. Too ornate for me! 🙂

Like the gardens & fountain / pool. We’re not to sure about that statue in the bathroom either! That movie theater does’nt look like the type to watch “Cars” in… they should of had “The Godfather” or something else playing!
Karla & Karrie

Oh boy, you Homearama folk really like your frescoes, don’t you? This really is over the top. Every surface is gilded, frescoed, coffered, trimmed – and some are all of those things! The ceiling details in this house are just too much. That library – I don’t think I could relax and read a book in there. I guess I just like simpler things.

I was trying to find something I liked, took a second look at the tv’s mounted above that bar (I thot it was scoreboard sfor a minute) and then saw Rocky and Darth Vader peeking out of their corners in the media room and it scared me and I was outta there!
blessings, Shay

I really liked the detailing on the master bedroom walls. What was that? Hand painting? I saw it on one of the ceilings too. Beautiful…. I really liked the outdoor areas and the pool would be perfect for small children. I never thought about that before!

My favorite parts were the covered entry and the freestanding area in the backyard. Guess that means I won’t be moving into this anytime soon. In no sense at all would I want to live here – it felt cold.

Julia, first of all thanks for visiting my blog! I am such a sucker for built-ins, although I found out with the ones in my study that they ain’t cheap, otherwise I’d have them in every room of my home, especially the bedroom.

Have loved looking around your site. My family is a huge fan of home tours in our area. The new and non-occupied homes are fun to tour but we really love the home tours of actual inhabited houses. I’ve gotten such great ideas (and a good case of house envy!)

I really rather liked the over the top interior. Again, a silly kitchen like all the other silly kitchens, useless to people who cook a lot and clean their own space. The exterior design just seems ugly. Silly. Inelegant or even clumsy

If you’re going to go that far over the top (and I think that they did that very well), why not get a architect with some talent and taste?

Still of all the homes, this one was the most appealing. I’d only entertain at night, I guess. 😉

I feel repetitive, saying that I love the ceilings. But I do, so very much. I also firmly believe that things with eyes do not belong in the bathroom. My MIL has a picture of Jesus Christ facing the toilet. He looks at me, and I feel awkward. That statue, while not Jesus Christ, is skeletal looking and weird. What is she doing, anyway? Playing a serenade in tune with my tinkles?

Love all of the handpainting and I actually really like the shashes on the lamp shades! But the theatre with those giant dolls creeps me out and so does the statue in the bathroom…. That’s like a set up of a bad horror film in of itself. I want to know who could afford this house?… Thanks for the great tour! Jen R

Ok … it’s the perfect house for someone. Dont get me wrong I would love to live in it but it’s just missing that “home” ness about it. It’s very grand indeed ! Maybe a bit too grand for my taste. Thanks for taking us on this tour of homes, I looked forward to it everyday and walked away with some very neat ideas I want to try. thanks Julia, Susie H~

Another one where the facade and the interior don’t really mesh. I ADORE the interior, though. True, it’s not an “everyday” home, but that’s what I like about it. It reminds me of a (much) smaller version turn-of-the-century home of the Morgans, Vanderbilts, et al. I’d just throw out those tacky mannequins. 😉